Faculty of Applied Ecology – Futura
Zasavica Special Nature Reserve
In 1998, the Nature Conservation Movement of Sremska Mitrovica started breeding cattle of the Podolsk breed. Today, podols in Zasavica are grown on the 300-hectare Valjevac pasture, where there are currently about 20 specimens. All heads of the Podolian breed are included in the program for the conservation of animal species, and within the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry of the Republic of Serbia. Also, in the Special Nature Reserve Zasavica, mangulica (Srem black lasa) is successfully bred – a type of pig whose history records written documents from the 18th century. As part of the realization of the project Return of autochthonous fish species, catfish (Silurus glanis) was reintroduced in Zasavica. In addition to catfish, the indigenous species of fish Mrguda (Umbra krameri) is protected as a natural rarity in Serbia, and lives only on the watercourse of the river Zasavica.
The project of reintroduction of the European beaver (Castor fiber L.) was successfully realized in the reserve, where 30 individuals were released, i.e. 4 families of 5 individuals and several singles. The beaver is the first animal species that disappeared from this area directly by human activity. The real proof of adaptation was the first beaver dam in Serbia.
